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| STOW'S Epistle Dedicatory. | ix |
STOW'S Epistle Dedicatory.
Mr.
STOW's own Epistle Dedicatory to the First Edition of his SURVEY of London,
omitted in the After-Editions, restored.
To the Right Honorable, the Lord Maior of the City of LONDON, to the Communalty,
and Citizens of the same, JOHN STOW Citizen wisheth long Health and
Felicity.
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SINCE the first publishing of the Perambulation of KENT
by that learned Gentleman Mr. Will. Lambard, Esq; I have heard of sundry other
able
Persons to have (according to the desire of that Author) assayed to do somewhat
for the
particular Shires and Counties, where they were born, or dwelt; Of which none
that I
know (saving Mr. Morden for the Counties of Middlesex and Hertford) have
vouchsafed their Labours to the common good in that Behalf. And therefore
concurring
with the first, in the same Desire to have drawn together such special
Descriptions of
each Place, as might not only make up an whole Body of the English Chronographie
* amongst our selves;
but
also might give Occasion and Courage to Mr. Camden to
increase and beautify his singular Work of the whole, to the View of the Learned
that be
abroad;
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STOW's Epistle to his Second Edition is the same; excepting only the Dedication, being to ROBERT LEE Maior, and the Commonalty, &c. And a short Addition in the last Paragraph, which ran thus;
"I confess I lacked by Desire to the Accomplishment of some special Parts, which some others of better Ability promised to perform. But as I then promised, have since out of mine old Storehouse added to this Work many rare Notes of Antiquity, as may appear to the Reader, Which I do afford in all Duty, and recommend to your View, &c."
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I have attempted the Discovery of London, my native Soil and Country, at the
Desire
and Persuasion of some, my good Friends; as well because I have seen sundry
Antiquities my self touching that Place, as also for that through Search of
Records to
other Purposes, divers written Helps are come to my Hands, which few others have
fortuned to meet withal. It is a Service that most agreeth with my professed
Travails. It
is a Duty that I willingly owe to my native Mother
and Country: and an Office that of right I hold my self bound in Love to bestow
upon
the Politick Body and Members of the same.
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What LONDON hath been of antient Time, Men may here see; as what it is now every
Man doth behold. I know that the Argument, being of the chief and principal
City of
the Land, required the Pen of some excellent Artizan: but fearing that none
would
attempt, and finish it, as few have assayed any, I chose rather (among other my
Labours) to handle it after my plain manner, than to leave it unperformed.
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Touching the Dedication, I am not doubtful where to seek my Patron, since you be
a
Politick Estate of the City; as the Walls and Buildings be the Material Parts of
the same.
To you therefore do I address this my whole Labour, as well that by your
Authority I
may be protected, as warranted by your own Skill and Understanding of that which
I
have written. I confess that I lacked my desire to the Accomplishment of some
special
Parts: but I trust hereafter that shall be supplyed; and I profess (if more
touching this
Work come unto me) to afford it in all Duty. In the mean time I recommend this
to your
View, my Labours to your Consideration, and my self to your Service (as I have
professed during Life) in this or any other.
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